Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, came out in support of the protesting factory workers in Noida, demanding a rise in their salaries, on Tuesday. The Congressman said what happened in Noida on Monday was the “last cry” for the country’s workers.
Protests broke out in Noida as workers demanded an increase in their salaries. Parts of the protest turned violent, with incidents of arson and vandalism, before UP Police brought the situation under control.
Rahul, who supports the workers’ call, took to X and wrote a long post in support of them, and also criticized the Modi government for ignoring their demands.
“A worker in Noida receives a monthly salary of Rs $12000; Rental costs $4000-7000. By the time he gets there $300 annual increase, the landlord raises the rent by a percentage $Rahul wrote: $500 a year.
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He also said that the common man pays $5000 per gas cylinder today, due to the supply pressure resulting from the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Although he admitted that the rise in fuel prices was partly due to the war in West Asia and its global impact, he claimed that Modi ji’s “friends were not affected.”
Rahul wrote: “This worker, who had not participated in any war, who had not made any policy – was working quietly, without complaint. And what did he get in return for demanding his rights? Pressure and repression.”
He also criticized the Modi government for implementing labor laws “without any consultation,” saying it had extended working hours to 12 hours a day without any corresponding increase in wages.
“Noida worker is demanding $20,000. “This is not greed – it is his right, the only basis of his life,” Rahul said, adding that he stands with every worker who has been “made a burden by the government.”
UP government finds Naxals and Pakistanis linked to protests ahead of salary review
The UP government took note of the protest and announced a review of the workers’ salary structure after Monday’s incident.
The revised rates have been divided into three categories: Gautam Budh Nagar (Noida) – Ghaziabad, cities with municipal corporations, and other districts in the state. These temporary rates will be effective from April 1.
Meanwhile, the Union government has also pointed out the possible role of “outsiders” in the protests. State Labor Minister Anil Rajbhar described the agitation as a “well-planned conspiracy”, citing the recent arrests of suspected terrorists in Meerut and Noida allegedly linked to workers in Pakistan. CM Yogi Adityanath went further, suggesting that the protests could be linked to attempts to revive Naxalism.
Read also | ‘Pakistan link’ in Noida workers’ protest: New shock for UP minister
“Naxalism is on the verge of extinction, but attempts to revive it may be part of a larger conspiracy. Some of the protests may have included misguided and destructive elements,” Yogi said after chairing a high-level review.
“The incident appears to have been carried out with an aim to disrupt development and law and order in the state. In recent days, four suspected terrorists were arrested in Meerut and Noida, with links to people based in Pakistan. In such a situation, the possibility of a conspiracy to create instability in the state is increasing. Agencies are seriously investigating the entire matter,” Rajbhar said.
While the alleged links between Pakistanis and Naxalites are being investigated, workers remain unconvinced about the government’s salary adjustment.
Speaking to HT, a daily wage worker said that the government does not pay them, it is the factory owners who pay them. “I have seen this (revised salaries) in the news as well, but we have not received any official confirmation from the factory owners. The government is not paying us. We are paid by the factory owners, who give us pennies for our hard work,” Tolaram, who works in a garment factory in Noida Phase 2, told HT.
